"romney leads obama." two days later, unemployment drops to 7.8%. it surprised experts, took away an attack line and energized the president's campaign. the october surprise, though, could still be out there. perhaps another video like romney's 47% comment. salon says it has a reliable source saying republican operatives could have such a video. or there's gas prices hitting $5 in california. will they rise enough there or in swing states to affect november? another possibility, israel attacking iran and its nuclear program. if before the election, it could hammer the economy, an unfortunate irony as well, given iran is what reminds many of the term october surprise. during the 1980 election, president carter was trying to end the iran hostage crisis. it tha didn't happen until after he lost and president ronald reagan was sworn in. going back further to this. >> we believe that peace is at hand. >> well, days before the 1972 election, president nixon's national security adviser, henry kissinger, says an a